Background: There are no standardized criteria or protocol for the withdrawal of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) from remitted pediatric asthma in Japanese Pediatric Guideline for the Treatment and Management of Asthma (JPGL).

Methods: Among 55 asthmatic subjects in our hospital, FeNO and pulmonary functions were measured at the withdrawal of ICS, at 1 month and 3 month after. Those data were investigated whether it would be a predictor for the recurrence of asthma symptoms.

Results: Subjects in recurrent asthma symptom group were 28 cases and those of non-recurrent asthma symptom group 27 cases (relapse rate: 50.9%). Any significant factors in background patients’ profiles, such as FeNO and pulmonary functions, were not associated with the recurrence of asthma. In recurrent asthma symptom group, FeNO was significantly increased by 3 months after withdrawal of ICS (from 31.8 ppb to 49.2 ppb). Among recurrent asthma symptom group, pulmonary functions were significantly decreased within 1 months (FVC: from 2.11L to 2.02L, FEV1.0: from 1.93L to 1.85L and %FEV1.0: from 98.1% of to 93.8%).

Conclusions: Although these factors at the time of ICS withdrawal could not predict asthmatic revival, it is highly recommended to follow asthmatic patients who quit ICS therapy by measuring pulmonary function and FeNO periodically.